Folding seat



Sept. 5, 1950 w. c. BECKENHAUER FOLDING SEAT Filed Sept. 16, 1946 INVENTOR.

e l L 5 4 m9 Patented Sept. 5, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOLDING SEAT William C. Beckenhauer, Detroit, Mich.

Application September 16, 1946, Serial No. 697,316

11 Claims. 1

This invention relates broadly to foldable r collapsible seats and more particularly to a seat of this type wherein the various parts can be folded into a case. which forms a primary part of the chair structure.

An important object of the invention is to provide a lightweight, portable chair that can be collapsed or folded into an exceedingly small package.

Another object of the invention is to provide a chair of the above-mentioned character wherein the parts are entirely concealed within the case when collapsed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a foldable chair wherein the parts can be fabricated easily and relatively inexpensively from metal by conventional rolling or stamping operations.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a foldable chair having improved means for holding the same erect.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawing, forming a part of this specification and wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. l. is a perspective view of a foldable chair embodying the invention,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, transverse sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional View taken on the line .-l--fi of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view show ing the seat of the chair partially collapsed and illustrating a novel means for holding the chair erect.

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral iii designates a case having hinged sections 12 and M. .On opposite sides of the case ii are identical supports l6 and each support comprises a pair of articulated bars I8 and 28. As best shown in Fig. 1, the two bars in each support l6 are fastened together by a hinge 22 and the hinged ends thereof are beveled to abut, as at 24, when the chair is erect as shown in Fig. 1. At the opposite ends thereof, bars l8 and 253 are fastened. by pivots 25 to respective sections i2 and M adjacent to the free or swinging edges of the latter. A onepiece substantially square seat 23 is disposed be tween the supports !6 and is fastened adjacent the forward edge thereof to bars 20 by pivots 30.

2 The opposite or rearward edge of seat 28 is coupled to section l2 of the case by pivoted links 32; and, as best shown in Fig. 2, a separate link 32 is provided at each side of the seat 28. As shown in Fig. 3, each link 32 is fastened at one end thereof to the seat 28 by a pivot 34 and at the other end thereof to a bracket 36 by a pivot 38. Brackets 3B are riveted, welded, or otherwise fastened to section I2 of the case ill.

As suggested, all of the parts can be readily fabricated from sheet metal or standard bar stock by conventional and relatively inexpensive forming operations and by using a suitable metal or metal alloy the entire assembly can be made exceedingly light in weight. Also, the metal parts can be suitably painted, enameled, or otherwise treated to present an exceedingly attractive appearance. Furthermore, by making the various parts of the seat from metal, the finished structure is exceedingly strong and rigid as well as exceptionaly rugged and durable in use.

It will be observed that both sections l2 and Id of the case IE] are identical in size and shape and that each has an inturned peripheral flange 40. Thus, each section of the case is in the form of a substantially square shallow pan; and, since they ar identical, the sections fold to gether with the flanges 46 in abutting, contiguous relation to provide a fully enclosed case. By reference to Fig. 1 it will be observed that corresponding sides of sections l2 and I4 are joined by a continuous hinge 42 and, by reason of the fact that the two sections are made from sheet metal, the hinge knuckles conveniently can be formed integrally therewith. In this connection it will be readily apparent that adjacent knuckles are formed on opposite sections l2 and I4 and that the knuckles on each section are suitably spaced and located to interfit with th knuckles on the other section so that the two sets of hinge knuckles cooperate to provide a continuous hinge along one edge of the case when the sections are assembled. By reason of this construction it is not necessary to mar the attached edges of the sections I2 and I4 by bolting or otherwise fastening hinge leaves thereto.

In each of the supports IS, the two bars l8 and 25 are pivoted to and at the inner sides of the flanges 40 adjacent the outer or swinging edges of the case sections I 2 and I 4. Also, the pivoted ends of bars l8 and 29 have inner rounded corners 44 so that they can swing inwardly toward the hinged sides of the sections. It is contemplated that bars l8 and 25] be. either solid or tubular in form.

Seat 28 is formed from a Single piece of sheet metal and has a depending annular flange 46. It will be observed that the seat 28 fits snugly between supports l6 and that pivots 38 extend inwardly through flange 46. Thus, flange 46 provides a convenient means for pivotally fastening the seat 28 to supports IB. Furthermore, it greatly stiffens the entire seat and permits a relatively thin, lightweight metal to be used therein. In addition, flange 45 provides a novel, simple, and exceedingly eflicient means for fastening the seat in a horizontal position and for holding the chair erect.

With reference to the last-mentioned function of flange 46 it will be observed that the portion of the flange which extends along the rearward edge of the seat is provided with slots 48 which fit over and snugly receive links 32 when the chair is erect. Frictional engagement between the edges of slots 48 and the sides of links 32 fastens these elements securely but detachably together and eflicaciously prevents the seat from inadvertently collapsing. According to the present invention the frictional engagement between flange 46. and the links 32 is enhanced by the particular construction of the links. It will be observed that each link is of inverted U-shape in transverse section and that the two sides of the link are disposed in slight spaced relation (Fig. 2). By reason of the metallic nature of the links the side portions thereof are slightly compressible and inherently resilient. The side edges of slots 48 preferably are spaced so that they compress the side portions of links 32 when the slots are forced downwardly over the links By reason of this unique combination and. correlation of the parts, the inherent resiliency in the links 32 forces the compressed side portions thereof outwardly and solidly against the confronting edges of the slot to assure a tight frictional engagement therebetween. Also, links 32. are located so that they extend flatly along the underside of the seat 23 to assure adequate support therefor and both ends of the links are rounded, as at 521, so that they can pivot freely in any direction around pivots 34 and 38.

If desired, a suitable cushion 52 can be fastened in section 12 of the case Ill. above seat 28 and between supports 16 to hold the back of a person using the chair away from the flange 4B.

To collapse the chair it is merely necessary to push the rearward edge of seat 28 upwardly to substantially the position shown in Fig. 4: so that the slots 68 release links 32. The two sections I2 and H! of case l6 are thenopened sufliciently to straighten supports I6 and, simultaneously with this operation, seat 28 automatically swings about the pivots 30 and 34 to a position above the supports. As soon as the hinge fastcnin-gs between bars l and 23 swing past the dead cent-er position, sections !2 and M are closed. As the two sections of the casemove to the closed position, bars l8 and 20 fold inwardly along the flanges 40 and the seat 28 assumes an inverted position as shown by broken lines in Fig. 1. When sections l2 and M are brought entirely together, all parts of the seat are concealed therein and the collapsed structure appears to. be merely a shallow metal box.

Manifestly, to open or erect the seat, it is mere- 1y necessary to reverse the above operations.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. In a folding chair, a case having hinged sections; supports at opposite sides of the case each comprising articulated bars pivoted to respective sections of the case; a seat arranged between said supports and pivoted to corresponding bars thereof; pivoted links connecting the seat to one section of the case; and means for detachably fastening the seat to said links.

2. In a folding chair, a case having hinged sections; supports at opposite sides of the case each comprising articulated bars pivoted to respective sections of the case, said supports adapted to cocupy extended positions when the case is opened or to be folded between the sections of the case when the latter is closed; a one-piece seat arranged between said supports and pivoted adiacent one edge thereof to corresponding bars of the supports; pivoted links connecting the seat to one section of. the. case; and means automatically operative to detachably fasten the seat to the links when the case is opened and the supports extended.

3. In a folding or collapsible chair, a case having. hinged sections; supports at opposite sides of the case each comprising articulated bars pivoted to respective sections of the case; a onepiece seat disposed between said supports and pivoted adjacent one edge thereof to corresponding bars of the supports; pivoted links connecting said one-piece seat to one section of the case; and clamp means at the underside of the seat coactive with said links to prevent said chair from collapsing.

4. In a folding chair, a case having hinged sections; supports at opposite sides of the case each support comprising. articulated bars pivoted to respective sections of the case; a seat disposed between said supports and. pivoted to corresponding bars of the supports; pivoted links connecting the seat to one section of the case; and clamp means at the underside of the seat adapted automatically to engage and. grip said links, the parts constructed and arranged to occupy positions wholly within the confines of said sections when the case is folded and swingable outwardly to extended positions when the case is. opened, said clamp means coactive with the links to hold the parts in the extended positions.

5. In a folding chair, a case having hinged sections; supports at opposite sides of the case each support comprising articulated bars pivoted to respective sections of the case; a one-piece seat disposed between and pivoted to corresponding bars of the supports; and pivoted links connecting the seat to one section of the case, said seat formed with a depending flange and said flange having slots which receive the lings when the chair is erect.

6. In a folding chair, a case having hinged sections; supports at, opposite sides of the case each support comprising articulated bars pivoted to respective sections of the case; a seat disposed between and pivoted to corresponding bars of the supports; and pivoted links connecting the seat to one section of the case, said seat formed with a depending flange and said flange having slots which receive the links when the chair is erect, the walls of each slot spaced to frictionally engage its respective links and adapted by such frictional engagement to hold the chair erect.

7. In a folding, chair, a case having hinged sections; supports at opposite sides of the case, each support comprising articulated bars pivoted to respective sections of the case; a seat disposed between and pivoted to corresponding bars of the supports; pivoted links connecting said seat to one section of the case, both of said links having resillent portions; and clamp means at the underside of the seat positioned to engage the resilient portions of said links when the chair is erect.

8. In a folding chair, a case having hinged sections; supports at opposite sides of the case, each support comprising articulated bars pivoted to respective sections of the case; a seat disposed between and pivoted to corresponding bars of the supports; and pivoted links connecting the seat to one section of the case, both of said links having resilient portions, said seat having a depending flange and the latter provided with slots arranged to fit over and adapted to tightly grip the resilient portions of said links when the chair is erect.

9. In a folding chair, a case having hinged sec tions; supports at opposite sides of the case, each support comprising articulated bars pivoted to respective sections of the case; a seat disposed between and pivoted to corresponding bars of the support; and pivoted links connecting the seat to one section of the case, each of said links having laterally spaced yieldable and inherently resilient portions, said seat having a depending flange and the latter provided with slots disposed to fit over the resilient portions of said links when the chair is erect, the Walls of each slot spaced to frictionally engag its respective link and adapted by such frictional engagement to hold the chair erect.

10. In a folding chair, a case having hinged sections; supports at opposite sides of the case, each support comprising articulated bars pivoted to respective sections of the case; a seat disposed between and pivoted to corresponding bars of the support; and pivoted links connecting the seat to one section of the case, each of said links comprising an elongated metallic strip of U-shape in transverse section whereby the sides of the links are relatively flexible and inherently resilient, said sheet having a depending flange and the latter provided with slots which receive the links when the chair is erect, the walls of each slot spaced to frictionally engage the yieldable and resilient side portions of its respective link and adapted by such frictional engagement to hold the chair erect.

11. In a folding chair, a case having hinged sections; supports at opposite sides of the case, each support comprising articulated bars pivoted to respective sections of the case; a seat disposed between and pivoted to corresponding bars of the supports; and pivoted links connecting the seat to one section of the case, each of said links comprising an elongated metallic strip of u-shape in transverse section whereby the sides of the links are relatively flexible and inherently resilient, each of said links adapted to extend along and to lie flatly against the underside of said seat for at least a portion of its length, said seat having a depending flange and said flange provided with slots which receive the links when the chair is erect, the walls of said slots spaced to frictionally engage the yieldable and resilient side portions of said links.

WILLIAM C. BECKENHAUER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in th file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,508,388 Findley Sept. '16, 1924 1,841,744 Lawrence Jan. 19, 1932 1,989,865 Johanson Feb. 5, 1935 2,136,838 Bosschieter Nov. 15, 1938 2,340,788 Aylor Feb. 1, 1944 

